The BET Awards on Sunday honored music stars from both the past and present.
Singer Patti LaBelle’s hard work finally paid off when she received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
In honor of Labelle, various singers performed her tunes. Cee Lo Green, Beyonce, Mary J. Blige; to R&B singer Marsha Amrosius and Shirley Caesat performed a musical tribute and Green even donned a Labelle style headdress and blouse.
Labelle also performed her famously known 1976 single “Lady Marmalade” which reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 charts during its prime. In 2001, the song was featured in the film ‘Moulin Rouge!’ and was rerecorded by Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim, Mya, and Pink. The track received various awards and again topped the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 charts.
The night’s biggest winner went to singer Chris Brown, who collected three BET awards.
The show also paid remembrance to artists who recently passed away. The award show remembered the E-Street saxophone player Clarence Clemons, with Warren G performing a saxophone melody in his honor. Snoop Dogg and others performed Nate Dogg’s “Regulate.” Nate Dogg died in March due to health problems. M Bone was remembered by Cali Swag District and Doug E. Fresh, while Queen Latifah recited “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised,” originally made famous by the late Gil Scott Heron.
However, critics seem to agree that Beyonce stole the show. While she was not in attendance for the award ceremony, her headlining gig at the Glastonbury Festival in England was televised live via satellite.
Other performances during the BET Awards show included Lil Wayne, Drake, Trey Songz, Big Sean, and Alicia Keys. Rapper Rick Ross performed shirtless, showcasing his many tattoos, accompanying Drake and Lil Wayne with the summer anthem, “I’m On One.”
